Apparatus and Method for Providing Map Data and System Thereof

ABSTRACT

A system and a method are provided that are capable of providing map data for supporting a variety of user network environments and selecting data zones freely. A navigation terminal includes a reception unit adapted to receive a file in which map data of a specific zone is stored, from a map provision server; and an execution unit adapted to execute a navigation function on the specific zone using the file. The file is produced by an individual unit with respect to each of geographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size. The size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount of information included in the geographic area such that the file has an equalized size.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2013-0123353, filed Oct. 16, 2013, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concepts described herein relate to an apparatus and amethod capable of providing map data through network and a systemincluding the same.

With the development of a smart phone and a mobile device, acommunication network becomes essential to use a navigation function.However, most of existing terminals may have restrictions on performingthe navigation function: loading of mass map data in advance,downloading of mass map data, and real-time connection to thecommunication network.

Due to the above-described restrictions, a user may waste a storagecapacity or a communication packet much more than when the usernecessitates only a hoped-for function.

First, a conventional navigation system may produce necessaryinformation with a plurality of separate files according tocharacteristics of the necessary information. For example, filescorresponding to components such as road data, background data, andsearch data exist. If a file for a requested service does not exist, itmay be impossible to provide the requested service.

A file for a requested service exists by the Nation or by the city andprovince. That is, the file corresponds to a navigation service area.For example, disclosed in KR Registration No. 1005321440000 is atechnique for providing map data of areas, divided by the mesh, to anavigation terminal using a network.

In case of the above-described conventional navigation way, even thoughbeing a communication-type navigation system, a navigation system mustdownload mass map data to perform a navigation function.

Second, in the latest communication-type navigation system, most mapdata is stored at a server portion, and minimal data on map screendisplay and route guidance is transmitted toward a client terminal. Inthis case, it is unnecessary to early download mass map data. However,if communication is cut off, the navigation system may not perform itsfunction any longer, which is fatal at the foreign country ormountainous territory where many communication cut-off areas exist.

With the above description, the conventional navigation system may be ofat least one of two disadvantages: downloading of predetermined mass mapdata and real-time communication.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One object of the inventive concept is directed to provide map dataproviding apparatus and method and a system thereof capable ofperforming a navigation function with a minimal capacity with respect toa user-wanted area, without downloading unnecessary mass data, while thenavigation function is normally performed at a communication cut-offsituation.

Another object of the inventive concept is directed to provide map dataproviding apparatus and method and a system thereof capable ofcontinuously performing a navigation function using previously providedmap data, i.e., minimizing influence due to a communication situation,although communication is cut off.

One aspect of embodiments of the inventive concept is directed toprovide a navigation terminal comprising a reception unit adapted toreceive a file in which map data of a specific zone is stored, from amap provision server; and an execution unit adapted to execute anavigation function on the specific zone using the file, wherein thefile is produced by an individual unit with respect to each ofgeographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size, andwherein the size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount ofinformation included in the geographic area such that the size of thefile is leveled.

In exemplary embodiments, the specific zone is selected by a user, thereception unit is further adapted to receive files of areas,corresponding to the specific zone selected by the user, from among thedivided geographic areas in a lump, and the files of the areascorresponding to the specific zone selected by the user are stored at aninternal memory.

In exemplary embodiments, the reception unit is further adapted toadditionally receive files of areas included in a moving route in a lumpwhen the moving route gets out of the specific zone selected by theuser.

In exemplary embodiments, the specific zone is automatically set on thebasis of a current position, and the reception unit is further adaptedto receive files of both an area, corresponding to the current position,and an area, adjacent to the current position along a translocationdirection, from among the divided geographic areas in real time.

In exemplary embodiments, the specific zone is set with a searched routeup to a destination, and files of areas, included in the route, fromamong the divided geographic areas are received in a lump.

In exemplary embodiments, files received with respect to some areas,predicted according to a reception frequency, from among the dividedgeographic areas are stored in an internal memory.

In exemplary embodiments, map data of areas divided in the form of tilemap according to the mesh units is stored in the files in a vector way,respectively.

In exemplary embodiments, information needed for a map screen display, aroute search, and a route guidance is stored in the file, and when areception of the file is completed, the execution unit is furtheradapted to hold the navigation function on the specific zone using thefile, regardless of communications with the map provision server.

In exemplary embodiments, files produced by the individual unit areassociated with one another such that the navigation function isconnected among the geographic areas divided by the mesh unit.

Another aspect of embodiments of the inventive concept is directed toprovide a map provision server comprising a division unit adapted todivide a geographic area by a mesh unit having a variable size; and ageneration unit adapted to generate files of individual units, based onmap data of the areas divided by the mesh unit, wherein the divisionunit decides sizes of mesh units on the divided areas according to theamounts of information included in the divided areas such that the sizesof the files are leveled.

Still another aspect of embodiments of the inventive concept is directedto provide a navigation providing method of a navigation terminal whichprovides a navigation function and includes a reception unit and anexecution unit, the navigation providing method comprising receiving, bythe reception unit, a file in which map data of a specific zone isstored, from a map provision server; and executing, by the executionunit, a navigation function on the specific zone using the file, whereinthe file is produced by an individual unit with respect to each ofgeographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size, andwherein the size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount ofinformation included in the geographic area such that the file has anequalized size.

In accordance with embodiments of the inventive concept, an update ispartially performed by managing data using a file database of a smalldivided mesh unit with respect to a geographic area, thereby reducing anupdate time and increasing efficiency. Also, the amounts of informationon file databases are equalized by making a capacity of each filedatabase uniform using different division units on the geographic area,thereby maximizing efficiency of on-line or off-line update. Further, itis possible to provide a user-required area more exactly by using a filedatabase of a small divided mesh unit, and a file structure is providedwhich supports various network environments (on-board, semi-board, andoff-board) and processes them with one data format.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features will become apparent from thefollowing description with reference to the following figures, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a diagram for generally describing a relation between anavigation terminal and a map provision server, according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internalconfiguration of a map provision server providing file database by asmall divided mesh unit, according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method of dividing a geographicarea by mesh units with different sizes, in an embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a file database structure ondifferential division areas shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment of theinventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of anavigation terminal using a file database of a small divided mesh unit,in an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 6 through 8 are diagrams for describing a map data transfer wayaccording to communication environments of a navigation terminal, in anembodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a navigation providing method in which anavigation function is provided using a file database of a small dividedmesh unit, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be embodiedin various different forms, and should not be construed as being limitedonly to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments areprovided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the concept of the inventive concept tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, known processes, elements, andtechniques are not described with respect to some of the embodiments ofthe inventive concept. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numeralsdenote like elements throughout the attached drawings and writtendescription, and thus descriptions will not be repeated. In thedrawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”,“third”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the inventive concept.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “under”,“above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms “below” and“under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The devicemay be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpretedaccordingly. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layeris referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layerbetween the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also bepresent.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcept. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to referto an example or illustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent to” anotherelement or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacentto the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to”, or “immediatelyadjacent to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elementsor layers present.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In embodiments of the inventive concept, a file structure of map data isprovided which supports various user network environments and makes adata area freely set.

In this specification, the term “map data” may mean all forms of maps,such as, but not limited to, 2D map, 3D map, and aerial photograph.

Embodiments of the inventive concept may be applied to a map searchfield associated with a global positioning system (GPS) and/or ageographical information system (GIS). In particular, embodiments of theinventive concept may be applied to a personal navigation system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for generally describing a relation between anavigation terminal and a map provision server, in an embodiment of theinventive concept. FIG. 1 shows a navigation terminal 101 and a mapprovision server 102. In FIG. 1, an arrow means that data is transmittedand received between the navigation terminal 101 and the map provisionserver 102 through wired and wireless communications.

The navigation terminal 101 means a local device capable of searching amap. The navigation terminal 101 may mean all terminal devices capableof providing a navigation function through the mobile web or mobile App:including, but not limited to, PC, laptop computer, navigation device,smart phone, tablet, digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), and aportable multimedia player (PMP).

The map provision server 102 is a file database system that stores andretains both geographic data indicating geographic information on a mapand map data including information on various points of interest (POI)on the map. The map data may include various forms of data, such as, butnot limited to, texts, images, moving pictures, and voices, forexpression of the map or information. The map provision server 102 mayact as the platform for providing map data to the navigation terminal101 as a client under a PC or mobile environment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internalconfiguration of a map provision server providing file database by asmall divided mesh unit, in an embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a map provision server 102 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept contains a processor 200, a memory201, and a database 202. The processor 200 includes, but not limited to,a division unit 210, a generation unit 220, and a provision unit 230.

The memory 201 stores a program that includes instructions for providingall functions of providing and updating the map. For example, theprogram may include instructions that make it possible to provide mapdata of an area which a user or a navigation terminal needs. Forexample, the memory 201 may be, but not limited to, a hard disk drive(HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an SD card, or another storage medium.

The database 202 acts as a file database for managing map data on thewhole map. In embodiments of the inventive concept, map data of areasdivided by the mesh may be stored and managed using a file database ofan individual unit, respectively.

The processor 200 operates in response to instructions of the programstored in the memory 201. The processor 200 may be a microprocessor,such as a central processing unit (CPU). Below, a detailed configurationof the processor 200 will be described.

To divide and manage map data, the division unit 210 divides ageographic area on the whole map by the mesh. In exemplary embodiments,the division unit 210 applies different sizes of mesh units to areasaccording to the amount of data, thereby improving efficiency of datacapacity and processing speed.

When the size of the mesh unit used to divide the geographic area isconstant over the whole area, a difference in the amount of informationbetween a downtown area and a mountainous area may be great, therebycausing a difference between data sizes of division areas. This may meanthat communication performance and efficiency are lowered. To solve thisproblem, in exemplary embodiments, the size of the mesh unit may bedifferently decided (or, variable) according to areas such that datasizes of division areas become uniform even though mesh units havedifferent sizes. This may be accomplished by equalizing the amounts ofinformation of geographic areas divided by the mesh.

Referring to FIG. 3 which shows a diagram for describing a method ofdividing a geographic area by mesh units with different sizes, in anembodiment of the inventive concept, for example, different sizes ofmesh units 310 are applied to a geographic area 300 with a predeterminedrange. In case of dividing an area 302 (e.g., congested city area) witha large amount of information and an area 301 (e.g., mountainous area)with a relatively small amount of information, a mesh size to be appliedto the area 302 with a large amount of information is decided to begreater than a mesh size to be applied to the area 301 with a relativelysmall amount of information. At this time, the amounts of information ofareas (hereinafter, referred to as “division areas”) divided by the meshare equalized such that the division areas have the same file capacity.That is, even though one division area area-1 in the area 301 with arelatively small amount of information and one division area area-N inthe area 302 with a large amount of information are divided using mesheswith different sizes, the amount of information included in the divisionarea area-1 is equal or similar to the amount of information included inthe division area area-N.

For example, it is assumed that the WGS-84 (World Geodetic System)coordinate system is used. In this case, the size of the mesh unit 310may correspond to multiplication of latitude 600 sheets and longitude450 sheets of the mesh unit 310 if the whole earth is divided by thelatitude of 0.6° and the longitude of 0.4° on the basis of a middlelatitude. That is, it may correspond to an area of the earth. Moreover,the mesh unit 310 is divided into meshes of which the sizes are variableand different according to the amount of information, and a mesh withthe smallest size is divided into maximally 1024 areas where 1/32division is made with the latitude of the mesh unit 310 and with thelongitude thereof, respectively. If the mesh unit 310 is referred to asan upper mesh as an upper division unit and meshes included in the uppermesh are referred to as lower meshes as a lower division unit, the uppermesh corresponding to one mesh unit 310 may be divided into a pluralityof lower meshes that have different sizes according to the amount ofinformation. If the amount of information included in one upper mesh isvery small, the upper mesh may include one lower mesh.

Returning to FIG. 2, the generation unit 220 produces individual unitfiles (or, individual files) by storing map data of a division area in afile with respect to respective mesh units. For example, the generationunit 220 may store map data of an area, divided in the form of tile mapaccording to the mesh unit, in a vector way. Herein, a tile may mean aunit of data that one division area includes when a geographic area isdivided by the mesh.

Referring to FIG. 4 which shows a diagram for describing a file databasestructure on differential division areas shown in FIG. 3 in anembodiment of the inventive concept, a geographic area on the whole mapis divided into a first differential division area 1 through an nthdifferential division are N. File databases (i.e., a first file database1 through an nth file database N) are respectively produced with respectto differentially divided areas and are then stored in a database 202 asserver storage.

A file database corresponding to a tile map may include an index on mapdata of a division area as well as position information. In exemplaryembodiments, information on all components needed for map screen display(navigation DP), route search, and route guidance may be included inonly one file database such that a navigation function is perfectlyperformed.

Moreover, one file database may further include information onconnection to a file database of an adjacent area, thereby enabling atransfer between tile maps. Even though a file database of a divisionarea is individually produced, thus, association with file databases ispossible. This means that a navigation function is connected betweendivision areas.

Returning to FIG. 2, the provision unit 230 provides a navigationterminal with file databases of areas corresponding to a specific zoneaccording to a request of the navigation terminal. At this time, thespecific zone may be set or selected by a user of the navigationterminal, may be automatically set on the basis of a current position ofthe navigation terminal, may be set with a searched route up to adestination, or may be set with a region that is predicted using areception frequency at the navigation terminal.

In exemplary embodiments, a user may only download a minimal area usingan individual unit file database on a small divided area, and a datazone to be downloaded (e.g., map data of 100 Km with user as the centeror map data of the Seoul city) may be set more exactly and freely.

The provision unit 230, for example, provides the navigation terminalwith file databases of areas, which correspond to a zone selected by auser, according to a request of the navigation terminal in a lump.Alternatively, in response to a request of the navigation terminal, theprovision unit 230 searches a route up to a destination and provides thenavigation terminal with file databases of areas included in thesearched route in a lump. Or, based on a request of the navigationterminal, the provision unit 230 provides the navigation terminal withfile databases of an area, corresponding to a current position on thebasis of a current position of the navigation terminal, and an areaadjacent to the current position along a translocation direction in realtime.

In exemplary embodiments, a file database may include information of allcomponents needed for route search, route guidance, and map screendisplay (navigation DP). Thus, it is possible to support a map datatransfer, which enables consecutive execution of a navigation function,with respect to all situations regardless of on-board where a useralways uses a network, semi-board where the user partially uses thenetwork, and off-board where the use of network is impossible.

Below, a method of transferring map data will be more fully describedtogether with constituent elements of the navigation terminal.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of anavigation terminal using a file database of a small divided mesh unit,in an embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a navigation terminal 101 according to anembodiment of the inventive concept contains a processor 500, a memory501, and a database 502. The processor 500 includes the following: areception unit 510 and an execution unit 520.

The memory 501 stores a program that includes instructions for providinga navigation function. As will be described with reference to FIG. 9,steps that the navigation terminal will perform may be executed by theprogram stored in the memory 501. The memory 501, for example, mayinclude at least one of, but not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), asolid state drive (SSD), an SD card, and any other storage medium.

The database 502 acts as storage that stores and retains all informationneeded to provide all functions of a system including the navigationfunction. Stored in the database 502 are a file database, in which mapdata of each division area is stored, as well as low scale data and anyother setup data that a map provision server provides to perform thenavigation function.

The processor 500 is a device that operates according to instructions ofthe program stored in the memory 501. The processor 500 may contain amicroprocessor (e.g., CPU), for example. Below, a configuration of theprocessor 500 will be described in detail.

The reception unit 510 receives data, needed to perform a navigationfunction, from the map provision server in association with the mapprovision server. The reception unit 510 receives a file database, inwhich map data of a specific zone is stored, from the map provisionserver. In particular, file databases are individually received withrespect to division areas in the specific zone. In exemplaryembodiments, now that a file database where map data is stored isindividually generated every division area, it is possible to use a waywhere a file stream is directly accessed through position information.If a transfer of an individual file database (or, a file database of anindividual unit) into a navigation terminal ends, the individual filedatabase may be used to continuously perform a navigation function in anoff-line environment regardless of whether the navigation terminalcommunicates with the map provision server.

For example, a user selects either a peripheral area with the specificposition as the center or a specific administrative district through aninterface means of the navigation terminal. The reception unit 510receives file databases of areas, which correspond to a specific zoneselected by the user, from the map provision server in a lump.Alternatively, the map provision server searches a route up to adestination according to a request of the navigation terminal, and thereception unit 510 receives file databases of areas, which are includedin the route thus searched, from the map provision server in a lump. Or,the reception unit 510 receives file databases of both an area,corresponding to a current position on the basis of a current positionof the navigation terminal, and an area adjacent to the current positionalong a translocation direction in real time.

The execution unit 520 performs a navigation function on the specificzone using a file database of an individual unit. In other words, theexecution unit 520 supports the navigation function, including routesearch, route guidance, and map search, using information of the filedatabase (information of components associated with an index on map dataof a division area, map screen display (navigation DP), route search,and route guidance).

A user may download map data in a way suitable for a communicationenvironment that a navigation terminal will use.

FIGS. 6 through 8 are diagrams for describing a map data transfer wayaccording to communication environments of a navigation terminal, in anembodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 6, (1) in case a user does not want the use of networkwhile a navigation function is performed (on-board), first, thereception unit 510 previously loads all file databases on the whole mapincluding a first file database 1 through an nth file database N andstores them at a database 502 as local storage. Next, the execution unit520 processes the file databases stored in the database 502 directly andlocally such that performed is a navigation function on a geographicarea of the whole map at an off-line environment.

(2) In case a user wants the use of network partially while a navigationfunction is performed (semi-board), first, the reception unit 510previously loads file databases X through Z, corresponding to a zone setby the user, from among all file databases on the whole map including afirst file database 1 through an nth file database N, and it stores themat the database 502.

In other words, to select a zone to be downloaded, a user enters severalkm radius or selects a specific administrative distinct. The mapprovision server selects file databases X through Z, in which map dataof the zone selected by the user is stored, from among all filedatabases on the whole map including a first file database 1 through annth file database N, and it provides them to a navigation terminal. Forexample, assuming that a geographic area 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 isthe whole map, a first file database 1 through an nth file database Nare file databases that are produced in a one-to-one way with respect toareas of the geographic area 300 divided with different sizes. Assumingthat a zone selected by the user is a portion A of the geographic area300, file databases X through Z are file databases on division areasincluded in a user-selected zone A as at least a part of a first filedatabase 1 through an nth file database N. The number of file databasesX through Z is not fixed or limited thereto. For example, the number offile databases X through Z may be decided according to a zone selectedby a user.

At this time, the reception unit 510 receives the file databases Xthrough Z on the zone set by the user from the map provision server andstores them at an internal memory of the navigation terminal, that is,the database 502. Next, the execution unit 520 processes file databasesstored in the database 502 directly and locally such that performed is anavigation function on a user-selected zone at an off-line environment.

In particular, if file databases of other areas other than a previouslydownloaded zone is required, the reception unit 510 may receive filedatabases of other areas in a lump, or in real time on the basis of acurrent position. For example, when a moving route gets out of apreviously downloaded zone, the reception unit 510 further receives filedatabases of areas included in the moving route in a lump. At this time,file databases of additional areas are temporarily stored in a cache,not the database 502. However, when a reception frequency is over apredetermined number, the additional areas are predicted as frequentlyused areas. In this case, the file databases of the additional areas maybe stored at the database 502 as additional file databases.

Referring to FIG. 7, for example, it is assumed that a user previouslydownloads city A 701 and city Z 702 as selected zones. With thisassumption, in areas in the city A 701 and the city Z 702, a filedatabase of a corresponding area is processed directly and locally suchthat a navigation function is independently performed at an off-lineenvironment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, however, when city A 801 and cityZ 802 are not adjacent to each other, there is not stored a movingroute, which starts from a position of the city A 801 and arrives at aspecific position of the city Z 802, that is, file databasescorresponding to an area 803 between the city A 801 and the city Z 802.For this reason, a network is temporarily activated such that filedatabases of areas included in the moving route are received throughconnection information between file databases in a lump. Next, at anoff-line environment, a navigation function is performed with respect tothe moving route from the city A 801 to the city Z 802 through the area803.

(3) Returning to FIG. 6, when a user always uses the network while thenavigation function is performed (off-board), file databases on map dataare not stored in the database 502; however, low scale data and othersetup data are stored therein. In this case, the reception unit 510receives files of both an area corresponding to a current position onthe basis of a current position of a navigation terminal and an areaadjacent to the current position along a translocation direction in realtime. At this time, the file databases received in real time aretemporarily stored in a cache, not the database 502. However, when areception frequency is over a predetermined number, the areascorresponding to the file databases received in real time are set tofrequently used areas. In this case, the file databases received in realtime may be stored at the database 502. The execution unit 520 performsa navigation function on a current position using the file databasesreceived in real time. Even though communication is cut off with respectto an area corresponding to a reception-completed file database, it ispossible to continuously provide all navigation functions including, butnot limited to, map screen display, route search, and route guidance, atan off-line environment.

In embodiments of the inventive concept, it is possible to divide ageographic area differently according to the amount of data and levelthe amounts of information of division areas. Also, a user downloads mapdata of a wanted zone more exactly. When reception on the map data iscompleted, it is possible to perfectly support a navigation function atan off-line environment and provide a file structure capable of beingprocessed according to one data format in various communicationenvironments.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a navigation providing method in which anavigation function is provided using a file database of a small dividedmesh unit, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Steps ofa navigation providing method according to an embodiment of theinventive concept may be respectively executed by a map provision serverand a navigation terminal described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8.

The navigation terminal performs a navigation function based on map datathat the map provision server supplies.

In step S901, a division unit of the map provision server divides ageographic area on the whole map with mesh units having different sizes.In exemplary embodiments, the sizes of mesh units for dividing map datavary with the amounts of information included in division areas suchthat file sizes of the division areas are leveled.

In step S902, a generation unit of the map provision server producesindividual unit file databases on the mesh units, based on map data ofdivision areas. At this time, the generation unit of the map provisionserver produces file databases by storing map data of areas, divided inthe form of tile map according to mesh units, in a vector way. Moreover,the file databases are stored to include information on connection to afile database of an adjacent area at the generation unit of the mapprovision server. In this case, even though the file databases of thedivision areas are individually produced, it is possible to connect thefile databases. Thus, a navigation function may be connected among thedivision areas. In exemplary embodiments, information on all componentsneeded for map screen display (navigation DP), route search, and routeguidance may be stored in a file database of an individual unit toimplement a perfect navigation function only using one file database.

In step S903, a provision unit of the map provision server provides anavigation terminal with file databases of areas belonging to a specificzone according to a request of the navigation terminal. At this time,the specific zone may be set (or, selected) by a user of the navigationterminal, may be automatically set on the basis of a current position ofthe navigation terminal, may be set with a searched route up to adestination, or may be set with a region that is predicted using areception frequency at the navigation terminal.

In step S904, a reception unit of the navigation terminal receives, fromthe map provision server, data needed to perform a navigation functionin association with the map provision server. At this time, thereception unit of the navigation terminal receives file databases, inwhich map data of a specific zone is stored, from the map provisionserver. In particular, the file databases are received by an individualunit with respect to division areas in the specific zone.

For example, a user selects either a peripheral area with the specificposition as the center or a specific administrative district through aninterface means of the navigation terminal. The reception unit of themap provision server receives file databases of areas, which correspondto a specific zone selected by the user, from the map provision serverin a lump. At this time, the file databases of the zone selected by theuser may be stored at a local database of the navigation terminal, andit may be anytime used to perform a navigation function. Alternatively,the map provision server searches a route up to a destination accordingto a request of the navigation terminal, and a reception unit of thenavigation terminal receives file databases of areas, which are includedin the route thus searched, from the map provision server in a lump.File databases of areas included in a route are temporarily stored in acache, not the local database of the navigation terminal. However, whena reception frequency is over a predetermined number, the areas includedin the route are set to frequently used areas. In this case, the filedatabases of the areas included in the route may be stored at thedatabase. Or, the reception unit of the navigation terminal receivesfile databases of both an area, corresponding to a current position onthe basis of a current position of the navigation terminal, and an areaadjacent to the current position along a translocation direction in realtime. The file databases received in real time on the basis of thecurrent position are temporarily stored in a cache, not the localdatabase of the navigation terminal. However, when a reception frequencyis over a predetermined number, areas corresponding to the filedatabases received in real time are set to frequently used areas. Inthis case, the file databases received in real time may be selectivelystored at the database.

In step S905, an execution unit of the navigation terminal performs anavigation function on the specific zone using individual-unit filedatabases. The execution unit of the navigation terminal supportsnavigation functions, including route search, route guidance, and mapsearch, using information of the file database (information ofcomponents associated with an index on map data of a division area, mapscreen display (navigation DP), route search, and route guidance). Inparticular, if a transfer of an individual-unit file database into anavigation terminal ends, the individual-unit file database may be usedto continuously perform a navigation function at an off-line environmentregardless of whether the navigation terminal communicates with the mapprovision server.

In the above-described navigation providing method, steps may be skippedor added on the basis of detailed contents of a navigation terminal anda map provision server described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8.Further, two or more operations may be combined, or the order ofoperations or their places may be changed.

Methods according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may beimplemented with program instructions executable by various computersystems and may be recorded at a computer-readable media. For example, acomputer-readable media may be configured to record a program thatincludes steps of: receiving files, in which map data of a specific zoneis stored, from a map provision server; and performing a navigationfunction on the specific zone using the files. At this time, the filesmay be produced by an individual unit with respect to geographic areasdivided by mesh units having different sizes, and the sizes of the meshunits are decided according to the amounts of information included inthe geographic areas such that file sizes are leveled. The files mayinclude information needed for map screen display, route search, androute guidance.

A program according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may beimplemented by a PC-based program or a dedicated application installedon a mobile terminal. In exemplary embodiments, an application forprocessing searched data may be implemented in the form of program thatoperates independently, or it may be implemented in the form of in-appof a specific application such that the application can operate on thespecific application.

In accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept, an update ispartially performed by managing data using a file database of a smalldivided mesh unit with respect to a geographic area, thereby reducing anupdate time and increasing efficiency. Also, the amounts of informationon file databases are equalized by making capacities of file databasesuniform using different division units with respect to the geographicarea, thereby maximizing efficiency of on-line or off-line update.Further, it is possible to provide a user-wanted area more exactly byusing a file database of a small divided mesh unit, and a file structureis provided which supports various network environments (on-board,semi-board, and off-board) and processes them with one data format.

The units described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, or a combination thereof. For example, devices andcomponents described therein may be implemented using one or moregeneral-purpose or special purpose computers, such as, but not limitedto, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit, a digitalsignal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array(FPGA), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor or any other devicecapable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.A processing device may run an operating system (OS) and one or moresoftware applications that run on the OS. The processing device also mayaccess, store, manipulate, process, and create data in response toexecution of the software. For the sake of easy understanding, anembodiment of the inventive concept is exemplified as one processingdevice is used; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that aprocessing device may include multiple processing elements and multipletypes of processing elements. For example, a processing device mayinclude multiple processors or a processor and a controller. Inaddition, different processing configurations are possible, such asparallel processors.

The software may include a computer program, a piece of code, aninstruction, or some combination thereof, for independently orcollectively instructing or configuring the processing device to operateas desired. Software and data may be embodied permanently or temporarilyin any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment,computer storage medium or device, or in a propagated signal wavecapable of providing instructions or data to or being interpreted by theprocessing device. The software also may be distributed over networkcoupled computer systems so that the software is stored and executed ina distributed fashion. In particular, the software and data may bestored by one or more computer readable recording mediums.

The example embodiments may be recorded in non-transitorycomputer-readable media including program instructions to performvarious operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include,alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, datastructures, and the like. The media and program instructions may bethose specially designed and constructed for the purposes, or they maybe of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in thecomputer software arts. Examples of non-transitory computer-readablemedia include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD;magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices thatare specially to store and perform program instructions, such asread-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, andthe like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code,such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level codethat may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The describedhardware devices may be to act as one or more software modules in orderto perform the operations of the above-described embodiments.

While the inventive concept has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it shouldbe understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, butillustrative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A navigation terminal comprising: a receptionunit adapted to receive a file in which map data of a specific zone isstored, from a map provision server; and an execution unit adapted toexecute a navigation function on the specific zone using the file,wherein the file is produced by an individual unit with respect to eachof geographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size, andwherein the size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount ofinformation included in the geographic area such that the size of thefile is leveled.
 2. The navigation terminal of claim 1, wherein thespecific zone is selected by a user, wherein the reception unit isfurther adapted to receive files of areas, corresponding to the specificzone selected by the user, from among the divided geographic areas in alump, and wherein the files of the areas corresponding to the specificzone selected by the user are stored at an internal memory.
 3. Thenavigation terminal of claim 2, wherein the reception unit is furtheradapted to additionally receive files of areas included in a movingroute in a lump when the moving route gets out of the specific zoneselected by the user.
 4. The navigation terminal of claim 1, wherein thespecific zone is automatically set on the basis of a current position,and wherein the reception unit is further adapted to receive files ofboth an area, corresponding to the current position, and an area,adjacent to the current position along a translocation direction, fromamong the divided geographic areas in real time.
 5. The navigationterminal of claim 1, wherein the specific zone is set with a searchedroute up to a destination, and wherein files of areas, included in theroute, from among the divided geographic areas are received in a lump.6. The navigation terminal of claim 4, wherein files received withrespect to some areas, predicted according to a reception frequency,from among the divided geographic areas are stored in an internalmemory.
 7. The navigation terminal of claim 1, wherein map data of areasdivided in the form of tile map according to the mesh units is stored inthe files in a vector way, respectively.
 8. The navigation terminal ofclaim 1, wherein information needed for a map screen display, a routesearch, and a route guidance is stored in the file, and wherein when areception of the file is completed, the execution unit is furtheradapted to hold the navigation function on the specific zone using thefile, regardless of communications with the map provision server.
 9. Thenavigation terminal of claim 1, wherein files produced by the individualunit are associated with one another such that the navigation functionis connected among the geographic areas divided by the mesh unit.
 10. Amap provision server comprising: a division unit adapted to divide ageographic area by a mesh unit having a variable size; and a generationunit adapted to generate files of individual units, based on map data ofthe areas divided by the mesh unit, wherein the division unit decidessizes of mesh units on the divided areas according to the amounts ofinformation included in the divided areas such that the sizes of thefiles are leveled.
 11. The map provision server of claim 10, wherein thegeneration unit stores the map data of the areas, divided in the form oftile map according to the mesh units, in a vector way.
 12. The mapprovision server of claim 10, wherein the generation unit storesinformation, needed for a map screen display, a route search, and aroute guidance, in each file of the individual unit with respect to mapdata of the mesh units.
 13. The map provision server of claim 10,wherein the files produced by the individual unit are associated withone another such that the navigation function is connected amonggeographic areas divided by the mesh units.
 14. The map provision serverof claim 10, further comprising: a provision unit adapted to providefiles of areas, corresponding to a zone selected by a user, to a localdevice in a lump according to a request of the local device.
 15. The mapprovision server of claim 10, further comprising: a provision unitadapted to provide files of areas, included in a searched route up to adestination, to a local device in a lump according to a request of thelocal device.
 16. The map provision server of claim 10, furthercomprising: a provision unit adapted to provide files of both an area,corresponding to a current position of a local device on the basis ofthe current position, and an area, adjacent to the current positionalong a translocation direction, to the local device in real timeaccording to a request of the local device.
 17. A navigation providingmethod of a navigation terminal which provides a navigation function andincludes a reception unit and an execution unit, the navigationproviding method comprising: receiving, by the reception unit, a file inwhich map data of a specific zone is stored, from a map provisionserver; and executing, by the execution unit, a navigation function onthe specific zone using the file, wherein the file is produced by anindividual unit with respect to each of geographic areas divided by amesh unit having a variable size, and wherein the size of the mesh unitis decided according to the amount of information included in thegeographic area such that the file has an equalized size.
 18. Thenavigation providing method of claim 17, wherein the specific zone isselected by a user, wherein in the receiving, files of areas,corresponding to the specific zone selected by the user, from among thedivided geographic areas are received in a lump.
 19. The navigationproviding method of claim 17, wherein the specific zone is automaticallyselected on the basis of a current position, and wherein in thereceiving, files of both an area, corresponding to the current position,and an area, adjacent to the current position along a translocationdirection, from among the divided geographic areas are received in realtime.
 20. The navigation providing method of claim 17, wherein thespecific zone is set with a searched route up to a destination, andwherein in the receiving, files of areas, included in the route, fromamong the divided geographic areas are received in a lump.
 21. Thenavigation providing method of claim 17, wherein map data of each ofareas divided in the form of tile map according to the mesh unit isstored in the file in a vector way.
 22. The navigation providing methodof claim 17, wherein information needed for a map screen display, aroute search, and a route guidance is stored in the file, and wherein inthe executing, when a reception of the file is completed, the navigationfunction on the specific zone is held using the file, regardless ofcommunications with the map provision server.
 23. The navigationproviding method of claim 17, wherein files produced by the individualunit are associated with one another such that the navigation functionis connected among the geographic areas divided by the mesh unit.
 24. Acomputer-readable medium which includes an instruction enabling acomputer system to provide a navigation function, the computer systembeing controlled by a method comprising receiving a file in which mapdata of a specific zone is stored, from a map provision server; andexecuting a navigation function on the specific zone using the file,wherein the file is produced by an individual unit with respect to eachof geographic areas divided by a mesh unit having a variable size,wherein the size of the mesh unit is decided according to the amount ofinformation included in the geographic area such that the file has anequalized size, and wherein information needed for a map screen display,a route search, and a route guidance is stored in the file.
 25. A filedistribution system which distributes a file of an application installedon a user terminal to provide a navigation function, comprising: a filetransfer unit adapted to transfer the file according to a request of theuser terminal, wherein the application comprises: a module adapted tocontrol the user terminal so as to receive a file in which map data of aspecific zone is stored, from a map provision server; and a moduleadapted to control the user terminal so as to execute a navigationfunction on the specific zone using the file, wherein the file isproduced by an individual unit with respect to each of geographic areasdivided by a mesh unit having a variable size, and wherein the size ofthe mesh unit is decided according to the amount of information includedin the geographic area such that the file has an equalized size, andwherein information needed for a map screen display, a route search, anda route guidance is stored in the file.